Air-conditioning register assembly and method

• US 7,966,837 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2007
• Issued: 06/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Madina, LLC
• Original Assignee: Madina, LLC
• Inventors: El-Galley, Rizk, McGinty, Joseph R., Campbell, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tyler; Cheryl J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bradford; Jonathan
• Application Number:
  US11/692,535
• Publication Number:
  US 20080242212A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,553 Days
• Field of Search: 621/86, 621/77, 236/49.3
• US Class Current: 62/186
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 1/00075 receiving air from a central station
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 1/0033 having two or more fans
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/61 using timers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/76 by means responsive to temperature, e.g. bimetal springs
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/06 Outlets for directing or distributing air into rooms or spaces, e.g. ceiling air diffuser
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 7/06 with forced air circulation, e.g. by fan positioning of a ventilator in or against a conduit

Abstract

A register assembly for augmenting the flow of conditioned air from a central air-conditioning unit to a room includes a fan, a temperature sensor, and a processing means. The fan is operably positioned for increasing air flow through the register assembly. The temperature sensor is for measuring a temperature of air in the register assembly and for outputting a measured temperature signal. The processing means is for: receiving the measured temperature signal; using the measured temperature signal in determining whether the central air-conditioning unit is providing conditioned air to the room; and activating the fan to augment the conditioned air flow if the central air-conditioning unit is providing conditioned air to the room. The processing means also provides drift compensation to prevent unwanted operation of the fan due to temperature drifts. The register assembly may include a rectangular housing positioned around the components for use in a floor vent, or a housing adapting a floor vent to a centrifugal, tower fan.

Claims

1. A register assembly for augmenting the flow of conditioned air from a central air-conditioning unit to a room comprising:

at least one fan operably positioned for increasing air flow through said register assembly;

a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of air in said register assembly and for outputting a measured temperature signal; and

a processing means for;

receiving said measured temperature signal;

using said measured temperature signal in determining whether said central air-conditioning unit is providing conditioned air to said room;

activating said fan to augment said conditioned air flow if said central air-conditioning unit is providing conditioned air to said room; and

providing drift compensation to prevent unwanted operation of said fan due to temperature drifts;

wherein said processing means determines whether said central air-conditioning unit is providing conditioned air to said room by;

monitoring said measured temperature signal for a maximum value, a minimum value, and transition values characteristic of a conditioned air cycle;

determining whether the central air-conditioning unit is in a heating mode or a cooling mode;

determining that said central air-conditioning unit is providing conditioned air to said room when the central air-conditioning unit is in a heating mode and the measured temperature signal transitions from a minimum value to a value that is a predetermined amount more than said minimum value, and when the central air-conditioning unit is in a cooling mode and the measured temperature signal transitions from a maximum value to a value that is a predetermined amount less than said maximum value;

determining that said central air-conditioning unit is not providing conditioned air to said room when the central air-conditioning unit is in a heating mode and the measured temperature signal transitions from a maximum value to a value that is a predetermined amount less than said maximum value, and when the central air-conditioning unit is in a cooling mode and the measured temperature signal transitions from a minimum value to a value that is a predetermined amount more than said minimum value;

wherein said processing means determines whether the central air-conditioning unit is in a heating or cooling mode by;

determining that said central air-conditioning unit is in a heating mode when the difference between said maximum value and a fixed ambient temperature value is greater than the difference between said minimum value and said fixed ambient temperature value; and

determining that said central air-conditioning unit is in a cooling mode when the difference between said minimum value and said fixed ambient temperature value is greater than the difference between said maximum value and said fixed ambient temperature value; and

wherein said processing means provides drift compensation by;

ascertaining that said measured temperature signal is a value that has changed from the previous measured temperature signal value and that said previous measured temperature signal value had remained constant for a predetermined amount of time, and then;

setting the minimum temperature value to said measured temperature signal value when said previous measured temperature signal value was the minimum temperature value and the measured temperature signal value is higher than said previous minimum temperature value; and

setting the maximum temperature value to said measured temperature signal value when said previous measured temperature signal value was the maximum temperature value and the measured temperature signal value is lower than said previous maximum temperature value.

2. The register assembly of claim 1, wherein said processing means is further for:

using said measured temperature signal in determining whether said central air-conditioning unit is not providing conditioned air to said room; and

deactivating said fan if said central air-conditioning unit is not providing conditioned air to said room.

3. The register assembly of claim 2, further comprising:

a rectangular housing positioned around said fan, temperature sensor, and processing means, said rectangular housing having side walls, an upper flange extending outward along a top edge of said side walls, and a bottom flange extending inward along a bottom edge of said side walls, said bottom flange supporting said fan, said side walls defining a rectangular cavity;

a screen sandwiched between said bottom flange and said fan; and

a rectangular shaped top member having a top flange extending outward from a top louvered surface and a rectangular boss extending below said top flange, said top flange mating with said housing upper flange, said rectangular boss mating with housing rectangular cavity.

4. The register assembly of claim 2, wherein said fan is a centrifugal fan, said register assembly further comprising a housing positioned around said centrifugal fan, temperature sensor, and processing means, said housing adapting a floor vent to said centrifugal fan.

5. A method for augmenting the flow of conditioned air from a central air-conditioning unit to a room, comprising:

receiving a measured temperature signal from a temperature sensor operably positioned to measure a temperature of air in an air-conditioning register assembly;

determining whether said central air-conditioning unit is providing conditioned air to said room using said measured temperature signal;

activating a fan operably positioned for increasing the flow of said conditioned air when said central air-conditioning unit is providing conditioned air to said room;

deactivating said fan when said central air-conditioning unit is not providing conditioned air to said room; and

providing drift compensation to prevent unwanted operation of said fan due to long term temperature drifts;

wherein said step of determining whether said central air-conditioning unit is providing conditioned air to said room includes;

monitoring said measured temperature signal for a maximum value, a minimum value, and transition values characteristic of a conditioned air cycle;

determining whether the central air-conditioning unit is in a heating mode or a cooling mode;

determining that said central air-conditioning unit is providing conditioned air to said room when the central air-conditioning unit is in a heating mode and the measured temperature signal transitions from a minimum value to a value that is a predetermined amount more than said minimum value, and when the central air-conditioning unit is in a cooling mode and the measured temperature signal transitions from a maximum value to a value that is a predetermined amount less than said maximum value; and

determining that said central air-conditioning unit is not providing conditioned air to said room when the central air-conditioning unit is in a heating mode and the measured temperature signal transitions from a maximum value to a value that is a predetermined amount less than said maximum value, and when the central air-conditioning unit is in a cooling mode and the measured temperature signal transitions from a minimum value to a value that is a predetermined amount more than said minimum value;

wherein said step of determining whether the central air-conditioning unit is in heating mode or a cooling mode includes;

determining that said central air-conditioning unit is in a heating mode when the difference between said maximum value and a fixed ambient temperature value is greater than the difference between said minimum value and said fixed ambient temperature value; and

determining that said central air-conditioning unit is in a cooling mode when the difference between said minimum value and said fixed ambient temperature value is greater than the difference between said maximum value and said fixed ambient temperature value; and

wherein said step of providing drift compensation comprises;

ascertaining that said measured temperature signal is a value that has changed from the previous measured temperature signal value and that said previous measured temperature signal value had remained constant for a predetermined amount of time, and then;

setting the minimum temperature value to said measured temperature signal value when said previous measured temperature signal value was the minimum temperature value and the measured temperature signal value is higher than said previous minimum temperature value; and

setting the maximum temperature value to said measured temperature signal value when said previous measured temperature signal value was the maximum temperature value and the measured temperature signal value is lower than said previous maximum temperature value.

6. A non transitory computer readable medium having computer executable instructions for performing a method for augmenting the flow of conditioned air from a central air-conditioning unit to a room comprising the steps of:

receiving a measured temperature signal from a temperature sensor operably positioned to measure a temperature of air in an air-conditioning register assembly;

determining whether said central air-conditioning unit is providing conditioned air to said room using said measured temperature signal;

activating a fan operably positioned for increasing the flow of said conditioned air when said central air-conditioning unit is providing conditioned air to said room;

deactivating said fan when said central air-conditioning unit is not providing conditioned air to said room; and

providing drift compensation to prevent unwanted operation of said fan due to long term temperature drifts;

wherein said computer executable instructions for determining whether said central air-conditioning unit is providing conditioned air to said room include computer executable instructions for;

monitoring said measured temperature signal for a maximum value, a minimum value, and transition values characteristic of a conditioned air cycle;

determining whether the central air-conditioning unit is in a heating mode or a cooling mode;

determining that said central air-conditioning unit is providing conditioned air to said room when the central air-conditioning unit is in a heating mode and the measured temperature signal transitions from a minimum value to a value that is a predetermined amount more than said minimum value, and when the central air-conditioning unit is in a cooling mode and the measured temperature signal transitions from a maximum value to a value that is a predetermined amount less than said maximum value; and

determining that said central air-conditioning unit is not providing conditioned air to said room when the central air-conditioning unit is in a heating mode and the measured temperature signal transitions from a maximum value to a value that is a predetermined amount less than said maximum value, and when the central air-conditioning unit is in a cooling mode and the measured temperature signal transitions from a minimum value to a value that is a predetermined amount more than said minimum value;

wherein said computer executable instructions for determining whether the central air-conditioning unit is in a heating mode or a cooling mode include computer executable instructions for;

determining that said central air-conditioning unit is in a heating mode when the difference between said maximum value and a fixed ambient temperature value is greater than the difference between said minimum value and said fixed ambient temperature value; and

determining that said central air-conditioning unit is in a cooling mode when the difference between said minimum value and said fixed ambient temperature value is greater than the difference between said maximum value and said fixed ambient temperature value; and

wherein said computer executable instructions for providing drift compensation include computer executable instructions for

ascertaining that said measured temperature signal is a value that has changed from the previous measured temperature signal value and that said previous measured temperature signal value had remained constant for a predetermined amount of time, and then;

setting the minimum temperature value to said measured temperature signal value when said previous measured temperature signal value was the minimum temperature value and the measured temperature signal value is higher than said previous minimum temperature value; and

setting the maximum temperature value to said measured temperature signal value when said previous measured temperature signal value was the maximum temperature value and the measured temperature signal value is lower than said previous maximum temperature value.